Catherine Callaghan
Carlow-Kilkenny · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Quite rightly, as the Minister pointed out, the Presidency has highlighted both the importance of international co-operation and the reality that Ireland cannot currently provide every aspect of its own defence and security requirements. However, let us be fair about that.”
“I thank the Minister and fully support that. Ireland's reputation overseas has been built not only on the professionalism of our peacekeepers but also on the confidence serving personnel and their families have had in the supports and protections associated with overseas UN service.”
“I agree that the maritime security strategy is a great document. One of the lessons of recent years is that threats to national security no longer come solely in conventional military forms.”
“I welcome the Minister's response. As someone who has served overseas, I recognise, as the Minister mentioned, that the future of peace support operations may look very different to those that have shaped previous peacekeepers, like me. Looking ahead, does the Minister see Ireland's overseas contribution remaining focused?”
“With that in mind, what capabilities does Government believe the Defence Forces will require over the next decade to fulfil those missions effectively?”
“While the Minister has outlined some specific capability gaps there in terms of increasing the number of ships and helicopters, technology, etc., does she believe that will help us become less dependent on others and more resilient in our own right? Does the Minister have a timeline for when those capability gaps can be closed?”
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“Speaking as the mother of two teenagers and one young adult who is renting, I am acutely aware of the pressures within Ireland's rental market currently. To make their way in the world, develop independent living skills and build the relationships that will last throughout their lifetimes, young people need a space they can call their own. Unfortunately, these spaces are becoming increasingly rare. In the most recent daft.ie report on the state of the Irish rental sector, a 20% reduction in the number of rental properties available was recorded. It does not take a degree in economics to know that where supply is diminished, prices will naturally rise. It is these price hikes that are barring young people and increasingly people in their 20s and 30s from entering the market.”
“My concern is that the welcome new law and necessary strengthening of enforcement powers for An Garda Síochána will have the unintended consequence of making Coillte's 3,000 km of marked walking trails more appealing to scrambler users and therefore more dangerous for the thousands of walkers who utilise these trails regularly. How does the Government propose to tackle off-road scrambler use on Coillte's land?”
“I express my sympathies to the family and friends of Grace Lynch. I welcome the news today that new legislation to implement a total ban on scrambler use in public spaces will be called Grace's law in her memory. In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny over the past year and a half or two years, we have seen an increasing number of scrambler bikes in and on the forest trails around the foothills of Mount Leinster. I know loads of people who have had frightening experiences with scramblers while out walking these trails with young children and dogs.”
“With that in mind, does the Minister have any plans to introduce an apprenticeship-style avenue for health and social care personnel to allow for continuous professional development in while in employment, perhaps even up to PhD level, to encourage higher retention in the sector?”
“I thank the Minister for the response. I am heartened to hear that solid measures are being taken to provide more training places, not just for speech and language and occupational therapists but also for dieticians, physiotherapists and educational psychologists, in particular. It is a welcome measure. We are all aware that this challenge is not just about training staff; it is also about retaining them. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, is working on reforming how therapies are delivers to ensure services are delivered more efficiently and effectively to those who need them without undue delay. However, Carlow CNDT still faces one of the highest rates of staff shortages. The most recent figures show that almost 45% of positions in the CDNT are vacant, despite sustained efforts to provide specialists.”
“I acknowledge that, as the Minister said, over 478 places coming are on stream but I ask him not to spare any ambition in the number of additional places he can provide for speech and language and occupational therapy students.”
“I thank the Minister for the response. It is very heartening to hear that there will be at least 478 new places coming on stream next year, or even this year if possible. The situation facing families across the country because of staff shortages in critical posts is beyond difficult. I am sure every Member of the House has heard from families on a CDNT list who are waiting for care. Across the HSE Dublin and south east region, which covers Carlow and Kilkenny, over 1,700 children have been waiting for CDNT services for over a year. Nationally, that figure stands at over 6,000 children. We must urgently prioritise the provision of these crucial services.”
“I would like to ask about the number of extra college places being created in September 2026 and 2027 to ensure there is an adequate supply of new speech and language and occupational therapists to meet the increasing demands of our care system.”
“Whereas, currently, people applying for international protection can expect to wait an average of 29 months to process through the system, these new procedures will bring that down to nine months, which is a marked improvement. Whether someone is granted asylum or not, this proposed system will let him or her get on with his or her life sooner rather than later. The State currently faces a cost of over €120,000 per applicant processed in the international protection system as it currently operates. However, the projected future costs based on the proposed streamlining measures will make that cost less than €50,000 per applicant, which is a 60% reduction in the current cost to the State. I am of the firm belief that this money is better spent building tomorrow rather than stalling today.”
“The State can and must do better. With this Bill, I firmly believe it will. The Bill will bring Ireland in line with the European pact on migration and asylum, provide a firm, fair and consistent approach across the Continent, and streamline and speed up our current processes. A common approach, as envisaged in the migration and asylum pact, will reduce the pressure currently on our processing system by curbing the secondary movement of people through the EU. I also welcome the proposal for a new border procedure with a three-month time limit for decisions and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals.”
“At present, our asylum and international protection system is not adequately prepared to carry out this duty effectively. If a person comes to Ireland seeking international protection and is then faced with up to a year and half waiting before their application is decided upon, they are essentially left in an uneasy limbo. While applicants are languishing in a system that was not built to cope with today's demands, they are forced to build their futures on sand. The delays caused by this cumbersome process, in turn, do a disservice to us all. Last year, just over 13,000 people sought asylum in Ireland. While this was down on the figure for 2024, it was still substantially higher than the numbers arriving a decade ago. In the face of renewed pressures on our asylum-processing system, comprehensive change is required.”
“I welcome the opportunity this evening to discuss the International Protection Bill, which will make Ireland's asylum processing system fairer not only for those who wish to come here but also for those who are already here. Most of us in the Chamber can agree on the enormous benefits that migration brings to our country. The Ireland of 2026 is a diverse, multiethnic society where people can celebrate and share their cultures free from fear, and long may that last. The Ireland of 2026 has also bucked historic trends. It is no longer a place that people are forced to emigrate from due to conflicts, but a safe harbour for those fleeing global conflicts. We must all realise we have a duty to those who come to our shores seeking protection.”
“This week, I would like to use my time to speak about carer's allowance and, in particular, the commitment in the programme for Government to abolish the means test. In Carlow and Kilkenny, I know many families where one parent gives up work to care full time for a child and the other parent then needs to work extra hours to pay the mortgage and bills. This additional necessary income then prevents the family carer from receiving carer's allowance because the family's means are often deemed too high. I acknowledge and truly welcome the increase in the income disregard that is coming into effect on 1 July, where the families like the ones I have just described will now be able to earn €2,000 per week and still receive carer's allowance, but can the Tánaiste please offer me a timeline for when the means test will be completely abolished?”
“These works replaced more than 2.1 km of old and damaged pipes which will reduce water loss, enhance pressure and ensure a more reliable supply for all schools and businesses in Tullow. Last summer, works costing almost €10 million were completed in Bagenalstown's wastewater treatment plant, bringing the population capacity of the plant from 4,500 to 9,800. Works such as these are being carried out on the ground, and it is important that we get balance. Obviously, we need more to be done but, on average, Uisce Éireann is at present fixing 2,000 leaks every month.”
“Delays in the schedule to upgrade works for Mortarstown wastewater treatment plant only add to this frustration. We cannot allow the growth of our towns and villages to be undermined by cumbersome developments. To grow rural Ireland we must not only identify the problems but also the solutions. It is my firm belief that the processes outlined in the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan will go an enormous distance in boosting our delivery of vital wastewater infrastructure. This belief is bolstered by the ceaseless work that has been completed on the ground across Carlow and Kilkenny over recent months. In November, vital water network upgrades were completed in Tullow town centre.”
“Councillors on the ground in Carlow and Kilkenny have been calling for this for quite some time and I am heartened by the Government's readiness to act in lockstep with local representatives. Of course, even with this approach, challenges remain. A wastewater treatment plant for Castlecomer, which regularly faces severe water disruption is not due for completion until 2029. The community in Castlecomer who have turned their town into a thriving regional tourist hub cannot and indeed should not have to wait that long. In Carlow town there is also a pressing need to expand. We know Carlow is a growing student hub that must be supported by the provision of adequate student accommodation and this relies on our wastewater infrastructure.”
“Everybody here knows that water is the most precious of our natural resources, and how the State manages it plays a crucial role in delivering on any number of policy plans for the future. Whether it be housing, education, or immigration, no policy can be fully formed without considering the water infrastructure that is available to support it. The Government has shown consistently that it is willing to act boldly to preserve and protect our water infrastructure and to boost it where possible. Last November, I warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that a developer-led approach would be adopted when it comes to progressing wastewater treatment plants, particularly in rural areas. As a rural TD, I say that is very welcome.”
“I am encouraged to see Ireland as an active and constructive partner to these discussions. I know our Government will do everything it can to protect international law and the UN Charter in the coming weeks. I welcome the leadership shown by An Tánaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who are consistently doing everything in their power to facilitate a space where common sense can prevail. Europe and the United States have deep and historic ties, which no single person can derail. During an unprecedented period of tension in this relationship, I am glad that Ireland has chosen to meet heated rhetoric with cool composure.”
“The solidarity shown by EU ambassadors at their recent meeting, at which Denmark and Greenland received the full backing of those in attendance, is testament to the fact that Europe will not yield to bullying and intimidation. In recent history, our open, dynamic economy has been fuelled by stable trading relationships with reliable partners in Europe and overseas, to an enormous degree of success. Tariffs play no role in this success. The threatened tariffs against six EU partners would undermine transatlantic relations and are completely incompatible with the EU and US trade agreement. The only way forward to resolve issues of concern to the US is through dialogue and engagement. It has to be said that Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on multiple occasions that they are open to proactive, constructive dialogue on all issues.”
“I did not wear the United Nations blue beret in Lebanon alongside my Irish Defence Forces colleagues so that we could consign these principles to history. When we discuss international law, we do not discuss an abstract, empty concept but a real and vital safeguard that protects and preserves a peaceful world. International law affords the same status and protections to countries big and small. As a result, it is of crucial importance to small nations like our own and Denmark also. It is also our sole protection, alongside the principles of the UN Charter, from a world where small nations are disregarded, where force is the only common language and where might makes right. In response to recent tariff announcements from the United States, I welcome our Government's commitment to and close co-ordination with our EU partners.”
“I welcome the opportunity to make a statement on international developments. I will use my time to speak about Greenland. I know I am not alone in wishing that questions of territorial integrity and respect for national sovereignty were a thing of the past. When it comes to Greenland, there is no question but that the future of the island lies solely in the hands of its people and the kingdom of Denmark, and it always will. Events in Greenland over recent weeks have moved at breakneck speed. Amidst a flurry of threats, insults and uncertainty, I am heartened by the calm, measured and firm response provided by our Government and by the European Union. Global peace and security rest on the foundation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter. They are principles I have served overseas to uphold.”
“He has outlined the increased welfare payments that started this month. I know that this Government intends to ensure, as he has also outlined, that our carers are fully and properly supported. I have so many such constituents who are pensioners. They do not understand why, despite having provided care and having been in receipt of the full rate of carer's allowance their entire life, when they reach pension age, when in fact the job sometimes gets more difficult, their full rate is reduced. They see it as a sign that the State does not acknowledge their work as carers. I again urge that the commitment in the programme for Government is advanced. I thank the Minister for his work.”
“That is very heartening to hear, and I look forward to working together to ensure that the commitments in the programme for Government are advanced. While I am here, I would like to raise the immense financial strains carers often find themselves under in spite of the services they provide. In a recent survey, 69% of carers reported having difficulty making ends meet and, of those, 29% have begun cutting back on essentials such as food and heating. Some 39% of all carers live in households with a combined total income of less than €30,000 per annum, so the financial challenges that come with being a carer, particularly in older age, must be addressed head-on. The Minister has mentioned the ambition that has been shown in supporting our carers through an increased domiciliary care allowance, which I acknowledge.”
“While I said I welcome the body of work that has been done to phase out the carer's means test the Minister mentioned over the course of the current Government's term, I strongly support the commitments made in the programme for Government to ensure that the State give every support possible to help our carers in their role. I therefore ask the Minister to take one further step and to ensure that everything possible is done to provide pensioners caring for their children with the full rate of carer's allowance.”
“I acknowledge the work being done but, as a former family carer myself, I know full well that our carers provide an enormous service not only to their loved ones and those they care for but also to the State itself. It is estimated that each year the State saves €20 billion that would have to be invested in our health services were it not for the work of family carers. These carers work long and difficult days in the most demanding of roles, and caring for a loved one in older age can often be deeply challenging. I am therefore of the strong opinion that the State has a responsibility to look at our carers in an exceptional way and to care for them and to support them in every single way we can.”
“I would like to talk about carers, in particular, those who are over the age of 66 and in receipt of the State pension. I ask the Minister to outline the steps that are currently being taken to ensure that parents who have, for their lifetime, cared for their children and reached the age of 66 can retain the full rate of carer's allowance and concurrently receive the State pension.”
“Single-use vapes present an enormous number of challenges for our young people, our environment and our public health in general. Over the past months we have seen measures come into effect that will directly combat and reverse the trend of children taking up vaping. Of these measures, an outright ban as proposed in this Bill will, in my view, represent the firmest possible statement of this Government's intention to safeguard our children's health.”
“This campaign, under the stewardship of Carlow County Council and Kilkenny County Council together, is an ask from young people to adults to consider their activity in outdoor spaces that are used by children and young people, so that young people can experience smoke- and vape-free spaces and environments. The aim of the campaign is to de-normalise smoking and vaping around children and young people. Initiatives such as this showcase the desire on the ground to protect our young people from the dangers of nicotine dependence. On an environmental level this Bill aims to not only protect our natural heritage from pollution with disposable vapes, but also to protect the health and well-being of workers in the waste industry who regularly face potentially hazards owing to the use of lithium-ion batteries in vaping products.”
“Vaping can decrease lung capacity, increase fatigue, and ultimately make it more likely for children to give up sports long before they may otherwise to do so. This is a really alarming consequence of the single-use vape. I welcome the many measures that have been taken to combat the spread of vaping among our young people, which include an e-liquids tax that came into effect last November, and the launch of a licensing regime that will come into effect in the next month. On the ground in Carlow and Kilkenny, as the Minister of State will know, measures have also been taken to try to reduce the impact of vaping on young people. Of these, the success of the Not Around Us campaign has been particularly impressive.”
“Some vaping products are indistinguishable from toys. In many other countries, like in Ireland, the rate of vape use among children exceeds that of adults. It has been shown that even brief exposure to e-cigarette content online strongly correlates with a greater intention to use these products, as well a more positive outlook towards e-cigarettes in general. Young people who regularly make use of vaping products are also more likely to engage in much more harmful behaviours such as smoking. On average, children who vape are three to five times more likely to take up smoking. Unfortunately, what was once seen as an off-ramp for smokers is now increasingly a gateway to smoking for our young people. In my experience as a sports coach I know the harms that vaping presents for athletes.”
“Nicotine dependence, sleep problems, mental health difficulties, damage to the lungs, heart and blood vessels and exposure to toxins are just some of the adverse effects that consistent use of vape products are known to cause in young people. According to the HSE, even nicotine-free vapes carry risks. Vape liquid that does not contain nicotine often contains other more harmful chemicals such as colours and flavourings that can be harmful when inhaled. That is the key point here. Any product that causes such blatant health concerns is clearly inappropriate for young people. Yet, vape products are brazenly marketed with bright colours and a variety of flavours in an explicit appeal to children. Vaping products are known to use cartoon characters and are designed sleekly, calling out to the younger generation.”
“Of those who vape, the majority of children report that their vapes of choice are single-use disposable vapes. Having begun as a means of helping smokers to quit, vaping has unfortunately become an addiction in its own right with health consequences that we do not firmly understand yet. I am of the strong belief that we have a responsibility to help prevent our young people becoming the nicotine industry's test subjects. As a result, I firmly support the measures contained in this Bill. While we do not yet know the long-term consequences of consistent vaping among our young people, what we do know about the short-term effects should be enough to argue the case.”
“It is a great start to the new year for me to be here in the Chamber addressing an Aire Stáit, another strong female TD from Carlow. Go raibh maith agat. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, for the work she is doing for the young people in Carlow and Kilkenny. Thank you once again. Speaking as a parent first and foremost I am alarmed at the increase in the sale of vaping products among our young people. I welcome the new legislation being brought forward by the Minister of State, which is coming online next month. It will mean that a premises must now have a licence to sell vapes. It is long overdue. While 7% of adults report regularly vaping, this number is dwarfed by the 13% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 who say they now vape regularly.”
“This is concerning in much broader ways because the algorithm tends to show content similar to what you have already engaged with, which can limit exposure to diverse perspectives. There is also a lack of transparency and a tendency for the algorithm to amplify harmful threads. This can reinforce existing beliefs and create echo chambers. Simultaneously, and this is really worrying, it can reduce critical thinking and the discovery of new ideas, thereby stunting an individual's creativity.”
“A priority for me, though, is the need to examine executive liability and consequences for harmful recommender systems, something that every teenager interacts with daily on the "for you" page on TikTok. This is not a matter that just affects children. Adults too are affected by the algorithm behind these recommender systems. In my view, this is the thing we need to address firmly and quickly. Information and content that users do not necessarily ask for repeatedly pop up right in front of their eyes. If a child, out of curiosity, searches for a topic, whether they like it or not that algorithm can then continually and consistently bring them different content on that topic over and over again. As the saying goes, if you hear a lot of people saying the same thing often enough, it begins to sound real.”
“I know this is happening and I am glad it is happening but we need to remember that children are only in school for less than 17% of the hours in a week. Last night, I sat down with a few teenagers ranging in age from 14 to 17 in the best place to chat with teenagers - the car. I just said "Online safety: discuss". They said it is the subject they hear the most about in their school life. The message is loud and clear - do not share personal information online. The Department of Education and Youth is doing a good job in schools but online safety is and should be a whole-of-government priority. It should be a major focus for Ireland's upcoming EU Presidency.”
“As I am sure we in this Chamber are all well aware, keeping our children safe in a seemingly limitless digital landscape can be a source of anxiety for parents all around the country. As a parent born in a non-digital world, I know I sometimes yearn for the good old pre-mobile phone days but we all have to acknowledge that the online world has made life so much easier for many people in many ways. It has helped us feel connected to family members who live far away from home and has offered peace of mind to parents and caregivers that they can keep contact with those in their charge without needing to be physically present with them. As a parent, I am more than happy to acknowledge that the Department of Education and Youth has continued to strengthen online safety supports for young people and teachers in school.”
“As we have seen from evidence across Europe, hormone-filled beef from Brazil has made its way into the food chain in Europe, highlighting that Mercosur in its current format is not just a matter of concern for farmers but poses a huge threat to public health for all of us.”
“I ask the Taoiseach to please continue to support our farmers. I am a rural TD and, together with my local public representatives, like Councillor Tommy Kinsella in Ballinkillen, we have been hearing over and over again about the devastating impact that the Mercosur deal, in its current format, will have on farmers, farm families and rural communities. I stand together with my Fine Gael colleagues in Carlow and Kilkenny in strong opposition to the deal. I am asking the Taoiseach on their behalf to follow through on the commitment in the programme for Government, not only to oppose Mercosur but also to put a pause on the inclusion of beef and poultry as part of the trade deal until European standards are met.”
“Ratifying the agreement as it relates to investment protection can make a real difference in certain sectors of the European economy, such as raw minerals extraction. The failure to ratify the sections has so far inhibited growth in this sector. Critically, measures to upgrade the agreement as it pertains to shared environmental concerns and goals are only possible once full ratification has been achieved. I welcome the findings of the Supreme Court that CETA could be ratified by the Oireachtas once amendments are made to the Arbitration Act 2010. Amending the existing Arbitration Act so we can ensure the constitutional identity of the State and protect Ireland’s obligation to preserve EU law is the best way of realising both our ambitions and responsibilities.”
“The fact that amending the Arbitration Act will allow for CETA to be ratified in a constitutionally lawful manner does not mean this will be done without further debate. Dáil Éireann’s say on each of the agreements covered by this legislation will be preserved. Ireland’s constitutional identity will be protected, as will its obligation to adhere to European law. Furthermore, CETA cannot be ratified by the EU until every member state in turn does so. As Ireland is one of ten countries that has yet to take this important step, there is much more work to be done at European level to promote the agreement, although the amending of the Arbitration Act is an important marker of progress.”
“Of course, it is important that we do not allow the prospect of improved trading relations with other parts of the world to blind us to the potential impact such agreements can have on our domestic legislation. Following on from the Costello case, I acknowledge the findings of the Supreme Court on those sections of CETA that deal with the protection of investments and provide for investment dispute-resolution provisions. The investor court system will not undermine Ireland’s right to regulate for legitimate policy objectives, as some have said in the House. CETA and similar agreements specifically note that the mere fact that a party regulates in a manner which negatively affects an investment or interferes with an investor’s expectations does not amount to a breach of an obligation under CETA.”
“Crucially for Ireland, most of the growth in bilateral goods trade between Ireland and Canada has come from a rise in Irish exports to Canada, a fact that highlights the competitiveness of our economy and the benefits that arise from open trading relationships. The potential benefits of such trading relationships, therefore, should be plainly obvious. However, despite being one of the countries that has benefited most from the arrangement, Ireland remains one of ten EU countries that has not yet fully ratified CETA. At present, we live in a geopolitical climate that demonstrates the true value of long-term rules-based and amicable trading relationships. If we are to secure the benefits we accrue from our trading relationships, the message is clear: rules matter.”
“Major Canadian investors are attracted to our dynamic and well-educated workforce, with firms such as Greenfield Global citing local excellence like that available in South East Technological University Carlow as a major factor alongside CETA in their decisions to invest in Ireland. Similarly, Irish talent was what attracted Canadian film firm Mercury Filmworks to Kilkenny’s Cartoon Saloon. Mercury Filmworks launched Lighthouse Studios in 2017 and created 140 jobs locally. Ireland has attracted more Canadian investment in the period than vice versa, with annual Canadian foreign direct investment flows into Ireland increasing by $10.8 billion, or 131%, in the eight years between 2016 and 2024.”
“I acknowledge all the contributions made on this Bill today. It will play a crucial role in protecting Ireland’s reputation as an advocate of free and fair trading agreements worldwide and it will allow for the constitutional ratification of the trade agreement between the EU and Canada and other international agreements. I am not alone in acknowledging the transformative effect that open and fair trading relationships have had on this island. I am also not alone in acknowledging the major opportunities that agreements such as CETA present for future expansions of Ireland’s economic capacity. Since the provisional application of CETA in 2017, Ireland’s trade with Canada has rapidly increased. Trade between the two countries has grown by 95%, and it reached a value of $9.6 billion in 2023.”
“The children of Ireland need that drastic change to happen at speed so they can access the treatment they so desperately need. The prolonged waiting needs to stop.”
“A date for surgery was confirmed for last week, that is, not the end of summer 2025, but in November. Unfortunately, four days prior to that surgery date, the surgery was cancelled. That was due to an emergency case, which I can appreciate, but no further plans or details were given to the parents. We can imagine the feeling in the family at that time, and the child asking, “Why am I not an emergency case? I have been waiting so long.” Children and parents like the ones I have just spoken about are at their wits’ end. I appeal to the Minister to keep up the drive that she has brought to this role and to ensure her ambition is carried through. I understand it is a challenge, and I recognise the work she has done up to this stage.”
“They had pre-operation appointments in early 2024 and 2025. They were offered surgery abroad and were due to travel to New York for spinal fusion last March. However, the child's parents were then advised by the medical team that surgery in Ireland was in the patient's best interests. The family was assured that surgery could be and would be completed by summer 2025 because the child is only ten years old and was, therefore, classed as a priority case. In June, the family was informed that before spinal fusion could take place, additional surgery was also needed, even though this was first identified by MRI in 2019. That is a wait of six years before the surgery happened. I am happy to report that the surgery was successfully performed on 1 July, and by August, the child in question was ready for spinal fusion.”
“I know from conversations we have shared that the Minister met with the HSE and the CHI board and executive in August and September, and that she was very clear in ensuring that everything possible must be done to reduce the amount of time children are waiting for procedures. I am heartened to know that further meetings will be taking place and are scheduled. At the end of October, 68% of patients on the active waiting list were waiting less than six months, which marks an improvement from this time last year, when 56% of patients were waiting less than six months. However, any time a child is waiting for spinal surgery is too long and, therefore, I have to share the following example with the Minister. A young child in my constituency has been recommended for surgery for over two years.”
“I acknowledge the work of the Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who, since she became Minister for Health, has been proactive in tackling many pre-existing inefficiencies in the health system. It is also important that I acknowledge and recognise the very hard-working staff within our hospital system. None of what I am saying is a slight on those dedicated and committed members of the hospital network, the HSE or CHI. It has been apparent since Deputy Carroll MacNeill became Minister for Health that she is actively driving multiple efforts to address the challenges that have been ongoing in relation to paediatric spinal surgery waiting lists.”